Japanese prodigy wins third straight Junior World

EL CAJON  Kota Murakami and Juan Camilo Vesga Solano are from opposite ends of the world. Neither of the 8-year-olds speaks the other’s native language. They didn’t have to in the aftermath Thursday of the Callaway Junior World Championships.

Murakami, of Japan, had beaten Solano, a Colombian, by one shot in a tense battle in the Boys 7-8 Division on the Sycuan Resort’s executive Pine Glen Course. As they waited to sign their scorecards Solano looked as if he might burst into tears at any moment.

At least three inches shorter and 30 pounds lighter, Murakami looked Solano in the eye, reached up and patted him gently on the shoulder. They both nodded.

It was an extraordinary display of sportsmanship by a kid who figures to be consoling his beaten opponents for a long time to come.

With his victory, the diminutive Murakami captured his third consecutive Junior World title, defending his championship in the 7-8 Division after prevailing in the 6-and-under class in 2009. No other current Junior World player has won three straight.

Murakami shot 1-over-par 58 in the final round to finish at 2-under 169 for three rounds. He held off the charge of Solano, who had the day’s best score with a 55.

In reality, the tournament was won in the second round, when Murakami fired a 5-under 52 thanks to going 6-under over the last six holes, including a hole-in-one.

It was quite a trip to San Diego for the youngster from Nagoya who has won 40 tournaments in the U.S. and Japan. Murakami captured the San Diego Junior Masters at Carlton Oaks last week and won the same tournament’s Par-3 Contest at Pine Glen when he made 10 birdies in 18 holes.

“I don’t know if he’s a prodigy, but he’s darn close,” said Matt Rivera, whose son, Jackson, finished alone in third, five shots behind Murakami. Jackson, from Rossmoore, Calif., finished second to Kota two years ago.

Asked to cite the difference between his son and Murakami, Matt Rivera said, “He’s more focused. I think their culture is just that way. I think my son is really focused, and Kota takes it to another level at such a young age. He acts like he’s 16 out there.”

Fathers and mothers caddie for their children at this age, and the dads in the final group were a contrast in styles. Riviera was the cheerleader, Solano’s father was quiet and his son played at an impressively quick pace, and Toshiharo Murakami alternated between being a stern taskmaster and proud teacher. He quietly barked orders at his son on numerous occasions and at one point clapped his hands on Kota’s ears to get his attention.

“You never know what the heck they’re saying,” Matt Rivera said. “You wonder what they’re talking about. Is his dad upset with him or is he just trying to keep him focused? It’s all business.”

It was a tight match between Murakami and Solano, with the latter making up a four-stroke deficit to be tied through 13 holes. But Solano bogeyed the 14th and Murakami birdied the 15th from 8 feet to give himself a cushion.